Two weeks isn't that long for adjudication honestly. I know it feels like forever when you're waiting for money but thats pretty normal timing for NYS Department of Labor. The unemployment rate being 4.2% or whatever doesn't really matter for your specific situation.

Actually, while the overall unemployment percentage doesn't directly affect individual claim processing times, there can be some indirect effects during periods of high unemployment. When unemployment spikes significantly (like during economic downturns), NYS Department of Labor sometimes implements emergency measures or temporary programs. But at the current 4.2% rate, which is considered relatively normal, you shouldn't expect any special expedited processing. Your 8 months of retail work should definitely qualify you - just hang in there, two weeks is still within the normal timeframe even though I know it's stressful waiting for that first payment.

Same thing happened to my sister! She was so paranoid about the call but it turned out to be real. They were calling about her adjudication and needed to clarify something about her separation from work.

I work at a local community center and we've been seeing a lot of people getting these fake unemployment calls lately. The scammers are getting really sophisticated - they even spoof numbers to make it look like they're calling from official government agencies. My advice is to never give out personal info on an incoming call, even if it seems legitimate. If NYS DOL really needs to reach you, they'll leave a voicemail with a callback number you can verify, or send official mail. When in doubt, always call them back using the number from their official website.

Just be prepared for the weekly job search requirements. You'll need to document that you're actively looking for work even though your spouse is employed. Keep track of all your applications and interviews in case they audit your job search log.

I went through this exact situation last year when my husband was working but I lost my job due to company downsizing. You're absolutely eligible for unemployment benefits - they only look at your individual employment record, not your spouse's income. Just make sure you have all your previous employer information ready when you apply online. The key things they'll verify are that you worked enough quarters, earned sufficient wages in your base period, and that you're unemployed through no fault of your own. Since you were laid off, you should meet all the requirements. Don't let anyone discourage you from applying - you paid into this system and you're entitled to these benefits when you need them.

Just apply anyway! Even if you're slightly over the income limit, you might qualify for subsidized plans through the marketplace. And if your unemployment runs out or your income changes, you can update your application.

I'm going through this exact same process right now! One thing I learned is that NYS has a "simplified application" process where if you're already receiving certain benefits (like SNAP or unemployment), they can sometimes fast-track your Medicaid application. Also, even if your unemployment income puts you slightly over the regular Medicaid limit, you might still qualify for Essential Plan which has higher income limits and very low premiums. The NYS of Health website has a calculator that can give you a quick estimate of what you might qualify for based on your unemployment amount. Definitely worth applying - the worst they can say is no, and you might be surprised what options are available!

I was in the same boat when I first started - the terminology definitely makes it sound more complicated than it actually is! You're absolutely doing everything correctly. The weekly certification is just the formal name for that weekly process where you answer questions about your job search, availability, and any work/income. One tip that helped me stay organized: I created a simple spreadsheet to track my job applications with dates, company names, and how I applied. Makes it much easier when you're answering those work search questions each week. Also, don't stress if you see different status messages in your account - sometimes it takes a few days for everything to update after you certify. Keep doing what you're doing and you'll be fine!

I went through this exact same confusion when I first started collecting! The word "certification" made it sound like there was some official document I needed to submit separately. But like everyone else has said, you're doing it perfectly - that weekly online process where you answer the questions IS your certification. One thing that helped me understand it better: think of it like signing a legal document each week where you're certifying (swearing) that your answers are true. That's why it's called certification rather than just "filing." The consequences for providing false information are serious, which is why they use that formal language. You're being smart by asking these questions upfront rather than assuming - shows you're taking the process seriously, which is exactly what you should be doing.